UPDATE: The full list of qualifier matches has been revealed, alongside the 12 confirmed direct invitees.
The WePlay Animajor is just around the corner, but right behind it looms The International 10.
In an update on Dota Plus, Valve gave definite dates for when the qualifiers for each region will begin. Unlike in years past, qualifiers will be staggered across three weeks with each region’s local qualifiers taking place across four days.
The TI10 qualifiers will take place across the following dates:
Valve did not disclose how the qualifiers can be watched. This could mean that Valve will handle the organizing of the TI10 qualifiers itself, or it could be kept in the hands of the tournament organizers that have been operating the Dota Pro Circuit’s regional leagues. Exact details will come after the end of the upcoming WePlay AniMajor.
As of this writing, just four teams have mathematically secured a spot at The International 10 through the Dota Pro Circuit. The list of teams includes:
The final eight spots will be determined by the results of the WePlay AniMajor. There are six teams tied in fifth place in the Dota Pro Circuit standings at this time. Barring a long list of shocking upsets, it is extremely likely that Alliance, Team Aster, and Quincy Crew will all secure spots in the event. Other teams in a strong position to qualify are beastcoast and PSG.LGD.
Most of the biggest names in the Dota 2 pro scene are qualified for the WePlay AniMajor and can qualify for The International 2021 with a strong showing in Kiev. That said, there are a number of notable teams that are already out of the running and will need to work their way through qualifiers in order to make it to TI10.
The International 10 will come live to you from the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden between August 10-15, 2021. Mark em. #Dota2 pic.twitter.com/Wa50OefPBw
— Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) June 2, 2021
The biggest name is OG. The two-time The International champions are in an awkward spot after underwhelming throughout the 2021 Dota Pro Circuit. They’ll have their work cut out for them in terms of qualifying, with a strong crop of European talent standing between them and another spot in The International.
Elephant has one of the most talented rosters in the entire Dota 2 esports scene, but the brutal competition in China kept the team from qualifying for either major in the 2021 DPC season. That will see the team forced to get through qualifiers, which may also include the likes of Vici Gaming or even PSG.LGD.
Also out of the running is Natus Vincere. The CIS staple was very strong in the first half of the 2021 DPC season but was forced to miss out of the ONE Esports Singapore Major due to health concerns. Things only got worse from there, but the team has put together an all-star lineup for the qualifiers.
The final lineup of qualified teams will determined after the WePlay AniMajor.
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